Explosive



V be so purified that it will form a highly sat- PATRICK J. GAFFY, OFPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ExPLosIvE;

No Drawing.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK J. GAFFY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inExplosives, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a highly combustiblesubstance, which is particularly adapted for use by photographers inlieu of the usual flash powder.

Furthermore, this improved material can isfactory substitute for thecotton usually employed as an ingredient in the manufacture ofgun-cotton, smokeless powder, nitrocellulose, celluloid, etc.

Additionally, one of the objects is to make use of the light-weightfiber comprising particularly the head portion of the plant that isquite commonly known as cat-tails, or aquatic weed, and botanicallyknown as Tg pha Zatz'folia, the same recurring perennially in swampy ormarshy lands, and obtainable in great quantities with little effort orexpense.

Further details of the invention are fully and completely brought out inthe following specification, which gives the method whereby all thoseversed in the art can readily accomplish the desired results.

In carrying out the present invention, the heads of cat-tails aregathered in large quantities and boiled in a solution of common salt(NaCl), with a proportion of approximately one-quarter pound of the saltto a quart of water, the latter preferably being previously filtered.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

Application filed April 23, 1920. Serial No. 376,052. a

The fiber is then removed from the soluthere is'added to one pound ofthe dried previously salined fiber the equivalent of one leveltable-spoon of Intro-glycerin, great care being taken that the additionof the one ingredient to the other, as well as the subsequent thoroughmixing that must be brought about, shall be accomplished at a lowtemperature in view of the highly explosive nature of the same.

The nitro-glycerin is worked into the fiber until the latter is justmoist, after which the resulting compound can be put up in suitablepackages, and when ready for use can be placed in or upon a suitableholder. and then ignited in the usual manner, by a flame, hot wire, orspark.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent of the United States is The method of making anexplosive material, the same consisting in boiling cat-tail fiber in asolution of one-quarter pound of salt dissolved in a quart of water,then thoroughly drying said fiber, and mixing with each pound of fiberone tablespoonful of nitroglycerin.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

PATRICK J. GAFFY. V

